The Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card from American Express Review

It's challenging to run a small business, but it can have its rewards. For example, small business owners put in long hours but they can enjoy the satisfaction that comes with building their own company and being their own boss. Also, small business owners can earn valuable rewards from the credit cards they use to make purchases. American Express, a Credit Cards Explained advertiser, just launched the Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card that can offer you double points on all purchases and has no annual fee.

How This Card Works

The new Blue Business℠ Plus Credit Card from American Express offers double Membership Rewards points on your first $50,000 spent each year, and one point per dollar afterwards. Points are earned in American Express's Membership Rewards program, which are especially valuable due to the ability to transfer them to miles within 17 different airline programs. Airline transfer partners include Delta, Singapore, Air Canada Aeroplan, Flying Blue (Air France/KLM), Hawaiian, and JetBlue.

When points are transferred to miles and redeemed for expensive last minute flights, or reservations in business or first class, then it's possible to realize several cents in value per point. Otherwise, Membership Rewards points are typically worth about one cent each towards gift cards, merchandise, or reservations booked through American Express travel.

This card also comes with a strong promotional financing offer. New applicants receive 15 months of interest free financing on both new purchases and balance transfers, with a 3% balance transfer fee. After the intro offer, a variable APR of 12.49%, 16.49%, or 20.49%.

Other benefits include a purchase protection program, extended warranty coverage, and a baggage protection plan. American Express also offers several tools specifically designed for small business owners including ReceiptMatch, Account Alerts, and the OPEN Savings program.

There's no annual fee for this card, but there is a 2.7% foreign transaction fee imposed on all charges processed outside of the United States.

Advantages

This is the only small business card that offers double points on all purchases (up to $50,000 per calendar year) where the points can be transferred to airline miles. It's also one of the only cards available that have no annual fee and allow you to transfer points to frequent flyer miles. Its promotional financing offer is very competitive for a small business card. Finally, it features numerous cardholder benefits that can be useful to small businesses.

Disadvantages

The American Express Membership Rewards program can be very valuable, but only if you understand how to transfer points to miles and redeem your miles for the most valuable rewards. If you are not an award travel enthusiast who understands these programs, then you might only receive one cent in value per point redeemed towards other options like merchandise, gift cards, and reservations booked through American Express travel.

Small business owners who spend usually spend more than $4,000 per month will exceed the $50,000 threshold that earns 2x points per dollar, and will only earn 1x points afterwards. Finally, it's unfortunate that this card has a foreign transaction fee. If you plan on using your card while traveling outside the United States, or making purchases that are processed in other countries, then you should be careful to use another card.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by American Express. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jason Steele is a one of the leading journalists covering the credit card industry and travel rewards. His work appears at many of the top personal finance websites and is regularly syndicated by mainstream sites such as MSN Money and Yahoo! Finance. Learn more about Jason Steele

EDITORIAL NOTE

Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

Credit Cards Explained may earn affiliate commissions from our partners on this page. These commissions do not affect how we select, rate, or review products. To find out more, read our complete terms of use.

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Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

Credit Cards Explained may earn affiliate commissions from our partners on this page. These commissions do not affect how we select, rate, or review products. To find out more, read our complete terms of use.